Alvin Vande Brake

Alvin Vande Brake, 59, Fort Ripley, died Friday, July 3, 2009, at St. Cloud Veterans Medical Center.

He was born on May 19, 1950, in Leota, Minn., to Dewey and Cornelia (Blom) Vande Brake. Al served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam conflict from March 25, 1970, to Oct. 10, 1971. He married Gloria (Vahl) Aug. 12, 1977 in Edgerton, Minn.

Al most recently worked as a security guard after moving to the Brainerd lakes area. Previously he drove truck and loved farming while living in southwest Minnesota. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping throughout his life. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by wife, Gloria; three daughters, Jamie (Bryan) Anderson of Eden Prairie, Katie Vande Brake and Mindy Vande Brake both of St. Cloud; three brothers, Gerald (Carolyn) of Sheldon, Iowa, Larry (Linda) of Georgetown, Texas, and Darrell (Debbie) of Bellflower, Calif.; one sister, Darlene (Verlyn) Burgers of Sunnyside, Wash.; and grandson Jake Anderson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother James and infant sister Marcella.

Services will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Brainerd. Interment will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery at Camp Ripley. Visitation will be held Monday, July 6, 2009, from 6-8 p.m. at Halvorson-Johnson Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church.